Exercise Accessories

By Amanda Reichardt

We have all heard of certain applications for our smart phones and new technology that track our lifestyle. Using technology to achieve a healthier lifestyle and to become more aware of our behavior is popular and has proven to have positive results for the user. One example is armbands which are not inexpensive. Are free applications just as good as pricy new armbands (also called fitness trackers)?

Fitness trackers can record a variety of data for the wearer. The more high end trackers make the consumer feel more like Dick Tracy in that they can record steps, calories burned, stairs climbed, active minutes, sleep, continuous heart rate, gps location, and can be used as an alarm, caller ID, music control, and notifications from texts and calls. Most can sync with other applications like “MyFitness Pal” and record your sleep and steps. Plus they allow you to connect with a community of people so that you can work together towards a common goal of a healthier lifestyle. Fitness trackers range greatly in price so why pay for something that is available at a much cheaper price? Are these fitness trackers more accurate than tracker applications?

A study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, titled “Accuracy of Smartphone Applications and Wearable Devices for Tracking Physical Activity Data”. The study was small, with 14 participants and 56 trials, using a sample of 10 applications and devices. Healthy adults, aged 18 or older, were asked to walk on a treadmill set at 3.0 mph for 500 to 1500 steps. They tested the Digi-Walker SW-200, Galaxy S4 Moves App, iPhone 5s Moves App, iPhone 5s Health  Mate App, iPhone 5s Fitbit App, Nike Fuelband, Jawbone UP24, Fitbit Flex, Fitbit One, and the Fitbit Zip. The study concluded “that many smartphone applications and wearable devices were accurate for tracking step counts.” After reviewing the data, the results revealed that smartphone data varied slightly and the data from the wearable devices had higher variability among devices. Overall, the smartphone apps did what they were programmed to do. Some other fitness trackers were reliable, while other fitness trackers were not.

Personally, I contemplated purchasing one and decided to do so. It is an individual choice. The bands are helpful as I don’t need to have my phone on me (which could fall and break during my workout).The bands are also comfortable and feel like a bracelet. They are convenient to the user. You may have all your data in one place as opposed to checking multiple applications on your phone. On the other hand, most applications are just as accurate and do the same as most of the bands. If you’re new to health tracking, I highly suggest using the applications until you know that this is something you want to continue doing. Most importantly, be aware of yourself and your daily lifestyle.

Amanda Reichardt is a Dietetic Student/Volunteer with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program